EPA to limit rocket fuel chemical in tap water

[IDemo]

Updated 7:00 p.m. ET:

The Obama administration announced Wednesday that it will develop the first standard to limit how much of a rocket fuel ingredient — one linked to thyroid problems in pregnant women and young children — can be allowed in tap water.

Between 5 million and 17 million Americans are exposed to perchlorate in the water they drink, Environmental Protection Agency administrator Lisa P. Jackson told the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works Wednesday.

Perchlorate, both a man-made and naturally occuring chemical, has been found in drinking water,groundwater and soil in 45 states, according to a 2010 report by the General Accounting Office, the investigative arm of Congress. EPA has detected it in 160 of 3,864 public water systems, and a 2006 study by the Food and Drug Administration found it in 74% of 285 food items tested.

Jackson told senators that it will take several years to develop the standard and that the agency is also moving to regulate up to 16 toxic chemicals in drinking water that may pose risks to human health.

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/greenhouse/post/2011/02/epa-rocket-fuel-tap-water/1

Not a chemist here - is perchlorate in the same class of substances as perchlorethylene, which has caused some of the groundwater hereabouts to be declared unsuitable for human consumption?

[BlueJazz]

1. Excuse me..waiter...could I have a glass of water please...with just a pinch of Rocket fuel.

:puke:

[KansDem]

3. "Here is you glass of water, sir, but be advised...don't smoke while drinking it."

[littlewolf]

2. Well good .... this brings back memories of being on

one of several CV's ... (aircraft carrier) and the water tasted like JP5 ....no matter where you got it ...
there was a hint of JP5 (jet fuel) coffee did a good job of covering the taste ...

[Ian David]

4. Shouldn't we let the free market determine whether people want to be able to ignite your urine? n/t

[tavalon]

5. Indeed!

Damn, guvmint, getting into our fun!:sarcasm:

[hatrack]

6. Indeed! How dare those jack-booted bureaucrats interfere with my freedom to drink rocket fuel!!!

Harrumph!

[Ian David]

7. Obama wants to increase the percentage of Dihydrogen Monoxide in your drinking water! n/t

[Kolesar]

8. Which the bush-government refused to take action on...eom